‘Ready for the job’: Obama rallies in Las Vegas for Harris, Democrats
Former President Barack Obama rallied hundreds of enthusiastic Democrats at a packed North Las Vegas high school gymnasium Saturday night, stating during the first day of in-person, early voting in Nevada that Vice President Kamala Harris “is ready for the job.”
Long lines formed outside Cheyenne High School a couple of hours before Obama spoke. Harris campaign officials announced that 3,000 attendees were allowed entry to the venue and that 1,000 others were directed to an overflow room.
Obama’s appearance underscores Nevada’s importance during the upcoming election: a swing state with the potential to determine November’s presidency winner.
He also stumped for down ballot Democratic congressional candidates and encouraged registered voters to cast a ballot early.
Obama and Democratic officials, including Sen. Jacky Rosen and Reps. Susie Lee, Steven Horsford and Dina Titus, promoted Harris’ ticket with Gov. Tim Walz and tore into former President Donald Trump.
For roughly 45 minutes, Obama deployed a mixture of humor and a serious tone to differentiate both presidential candidates.
He received perhaps the loudest cheer when he spoke about abortion rights.
“I’ve always said there are good people of conscience on both sides of the abortion divide,” Obama said. “I respect anybody whose faith tells them that this is not something they believe in. I understand that. But if we believe in freedom, then we should at least agree that such a deeply personal decision should be made by the woman whose body is involved not politicians.”
About the economy, Obama said that he empathizes with people struggling but said the country is heading in the right direction.
“For a lot of folks, the price of everything, from health care, to housing, to groceries, is still too high, it hurts,” he said. “The question is who’s actually gonna do something about it.”
“Kamala,” the crowd exclaimed.
Throughout the speech, Obama poked fun at Trump and his character which he described as “strange behavior.”
“This man can’t think about anybody by himself,” he said. “Donald Trump is a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped complaining about his problems since he rode down that golden escalator” when Trump announced his first run for office in 2015.
Speaking about the immigration issue, Obama said there was a “real issue” at the border, adding that “we are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.”
“We have to fix some aspects of it that are broken,” he said, highlighting a bipartisan border bill Harris she would sign into law.
He said Trump’s administration hadn’t fixed the issue, Obama said. “Dude, you were president for four years.”
Obama also addressed likely voters who might be discouraged to cast a ballot.
“If somebody tells you that this doesn’t make a difference, having somebody with competence — somebody who cares about you, who listens to ordinary people, who listens to people who are experts in these areas,” Obama said. “If you hear somebody say, ‘it doesn’t matter,’ it does matter. And at some point it will make a difference to them.”
He added: “This election is also more than policies. It’s about values and it’s about character.”
‘A little undecided’
Anticipating that Obama would speak about the Black vote like he had earlier this week, the Trump campaign highlighted his presidency’s work with diverse communities.
“Therefore, President Trump’s message to Black & Brown America is simple: “If you want strong borders, safe neighborhoods, rising wages, quality jobs, school choice and the return of the strongest economy in over 60 years, then vote for Donald J. Trump on November 5, 2024,“ wrote Janiyah Thomas, Team Trump Black media director, in a statement.
Before the rally, Las Vegas resident Saran Taylor said she still didn’t know who she was voting for, and that her friend had invited her to the event.
“I’m a little undecided, so I’m waiting to hear something new,” she said.
Taylor added that she wanted to hear more about the candidates and what they would do for the Black community and the economy.
Laverne Patton, who’s lived in Las Vegas for 46 years, was sure about her choice.
Asked what brought her to the rally, she said: “My love for Barack Obama and my Democratic party.”
Patton wore two pins on her chest, one for Harris and one for Obama, whom she campaigned for during his two runs for president. She touted an old photo of her holding Obama’s face during a greet and meet.
She also shared a disdain for former President Donald Trump.
“I was born in segregated Alabama, and I’ve never experienced anything as I’ve experienced since Donald Trump came in this world and called himself a politician,” she Patton said. “I pray to God that he loses big time,” she added.
Married couple Genevieve and Doug Bowman said they’re voting for Harris. “I’ve always liked Obama… I just want to see his point of view,” Doug Bowman said.
Swing state
Surrogates on both sides of the aisle have visited Las Vegas leading up to the Nov. 5 election to campaign for their candidates.
Both Harris and Trump have made multiple stops in the Silver State. Trump will visit Las Vegas on Thursday at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center, and his Vice President choice, Sen. J.D. Vance was set to give remarks in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning. Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to visit on Tuesday.
Review-Journal reporter Jessica Hill contributed to this story. Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.